How to start a home daycare in Iowa.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees home daycares in Iowa. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Iowa allows
Nonregistered child care home
Up to 6 children, if one is in school
This kind of home is not registered with HHS.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Child Development Home A
Up to 6 preschool children
No more than 4 of the 6 may be 24 months old or younger.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Child Development Home B
Up to 8 preschool children
No more than 4 of the 8 may be 24 months old or younger.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Child Development Home C
Up to 14 preschool children
When more than 8 children are there, both providers must be present.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
Starting a home daycare in Iowa, step by step
Choose your category
Pick category A, B or C. They differ by number of children, space and your experience.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Take the required training
Finish HHS-approved health and safety training before you register.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Get a physical exam
Your doctor records your exam on Form 470-5152.
Source: Child Care LicensingApply for registration
Fill out form 470-3384, the Application for Child Development Home Registration.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Complete record checks
National fingerprint record checks must be done before your home can be registered.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Pass the pre-inspection
HHS checks your home for health, safety and fire safety before you are registered.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)Get your registration certificate
HHS issues a registration certificate once you meet every requirement.
Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Registers child development homes and inspects them before registration and every year.Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
- Registration
- Not required for a child care home, but you may choose to registerSource: Iowa Code section 237A.3, Child care homes
- Your own children
- Your preschool-age children count toward your totalSource: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
- Record checks
- Also anyone 14 or older who lives in your homeSource: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
- Renewal
- Reapply every 24 monthsSource: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
- Training
- At least 24 hours in each two-year registration periodSource: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
Good to know
- Local child care resource and referral agencies offer consultation and training to help you meet the rules.Source: Child Care Centers and Preschools Licensing Standards and Procedures (Comm. 204)
- HHS makes an unannounced check of every registered home each state fiscal year.Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
- Only one registration is allowed per address.Source: Child Development Home Registration Guidelines (Comm. 143)
Run a program in Iowa? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Iowa
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Iowa licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Iowa
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Iowa
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in Iowa?
The first step: Choose your category. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Iowa?
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Registers child development homes and inspects them before registration and every year.
How many children can a home daycare in Iowa care for?
Nonregistered child care home: Up to 6 children, if one is in school. Child Development Home A: Up to 6 preschool children. Child Development Home B: Up to 8 preschool children. Child Development Home C: Up to 14 preschool children.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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